deciding on prophylactic surgery

duff67

I'm a 67 yr old male who has BRCA2 mutation.  I was tested after my sister, a bc survivor, informed me that she was BRCA2.  Her daughter died from bc shortly before this.  We have determined the gene was passed from my dad, but we don't know of any cancer in his family. He had no sisters and both his mother and his only brother died at young ages, but not of cancer.

After finding that I'm BRCA2, I told my primary care MD who referred me to an oncologist. He sent me for mammogram. The mammogram showed something of interest on the left side but a subsequent biopsy was negative. Am now seeing a surgeon every 3 mo. to recheck.  Both the oncologist and the surgeon mentioned prophylactic mastectomy as an option I could consider, but both said it's entirely my choice, with no recommendation from either.

My initial internet search on prophylactic mastectomy lead me to this forum. Any suggestions on further research I might do?  Anyone have experience or opinion to share with me?      Thanks much,   duff67

smithlme

Please check out the FORCE web site at www.facingourrisk.org. This is an entire site for BRCA 1 & 2. Best of luck with your decision...

Linda

ChrisBern

Hi,

 I'm a 31 years old man diagnosed with BC 8 months ago. I have been tested BRCA2 and then decided to have a bilateral mastectomy last May 20.

Here are the risks my genetic counsellor gave me:

5%-10%: risks of developing a first BC

15%-20%: risks of developing a second BC

Personnaly, I would not have choose prophylactic mastectomy before my BC even if I had known I was BRCA2. A risk of 10% is about the same of a woman with no BRCA. Actually, statistics say that about one woman out of 9 or 10 will develop a BC in her life.

Having said that, I'm very satisfy with the results of my nipple sparing mastectomy. You can PM me if yout want to discuss about it.

 Christian

hollyann

Chris so sorry you had to join this group too!......And so young!......You will find a few men here going through this too......Please keep coming here for advice and encouragement.....Are you doing chemo?..........

Actually the statistics are 1 in 8 women will develop cancer in her lifetime........

Deirdre1

Chris,  thanks for the input and I'm truly sorry you have to go through this!  I wish my father had the option of a nipple sparing mastectomy he might have felt more comfortable in his body after his dx with bc.  His was Stage II though when first dx'ed and it was a few years back so they weren't really "gentle" with his mastectomy..  Have a wonderful and rich life Chris - may you never have to deal with this again!!!  Best